6 hours ago
3
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has explained why he didn't send a message of congratulations to Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa following his fellow countryman's heroics against Bournemouth on Friday.
Chiesa popped up with a well-taken late strike at Anfield after Antoine Semenyo had scored twice to level things up. Mohamed Salah then added a fourth to cap an opening-day victory for Arne Slot.
The Liverpool head coach barely picked Chiesa in his first season, and the club and it was widely expected that he would leave. Despite a lot of interest in Italy in the 27-year-old, he has remained put for the time being.
Two days after Chiesa netted, Calafiori netted the only goal of the game at Old Trafford as an unconvincing Arsenal beat Manchester United. And the Italian defender was asked about Chiesa post-match.
"I can send it now. He had a tough season last year, and we never spoke, so I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon when things are going well," Calafiori told Sky Italia.
"We knew each other during the latest Euros. We didn’t talk much, but he’s a very good guy, and I hope he can play consistently. Maybe not too much, because we want to win the Premier League, but I hope to see him soon with the national team."
Chiesa only made his first Premier League start when the title was already wrapped up last season following a cut-price $13 million (£10 million) move from Juventus.
"As long as he's here, it's definitely at Liverpool and I have no reason to believe something is going to change," Slot said in his post-match press conference on Friday.
"He had a hard time last season getting his fitness ready. Unfortunately for him, he missed out on our Asian tour as well, so he missed quite a lot.
"When we needed Federico at 2-2, we brought him in and he delivered. That's always positive for your future at the club.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"After the fans sang for him so many times during the game and last season as well, I think it's nice for him to give them something in return. That's definitely what he did today."
Liverpool.com says: Chiesa clearly has talent and Liverpool doesn't currently have enough attacking options. Even if Alexander Isak arrives, there is an argument that Slot's roster will be a bit light.
Keeping Chiesa for another year seems to be something he would be open to. It would certainly not be the worst thing for Liverpool to have someone like that to turn to off the bench, though his role will be little more than that.
English (US) ·